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29.07.07: Sparkassen German Friendships have never done so well before
 Some had a few tears in their eyes, as in the Sunday afternoon the 5th Sparkasse German Friendships on the Bexter yard came to an end.
“See you again - latest in two years here in Herford”, then the children and young people from 35 nations, who have trained nearly a whole week together on the yard of Ulrich
Meyer zu Bexten, said good-bye celebrated. The victories were again o not the most important. “Friendships, NOT championships“- this slogan counted.
Ulrich Meyer zu Bexten from the organizing team could draw a positive result despite the
rain on Sunday. “We are very glad that the Friendships were - as minister Ursula von der Leyen said - simply electrifying. “This can be confirmed by almost 17000 visitors this
tournament week. The concept of the meeting had remained the same since its start in the year 1999:
A foreigner and a German rider rode in the children and junior jumping examinations
according to age, just like the Friendships concept states.
The German riders often put a horse at his team colleague’s disposal. The accommodation
for the foreigners in Guest families from the Herford circle completed the idea of the international people communication.
“Air Jordan“ and “Butterfly Flip“ win!
The duo consisting of the Columbian Alicia Gamboa and the 18-year old Vanessa Steiger (Weisenheim) win most successfully in the junior valuation on the M-level. Additionally, the
16-year old Alicia won the single valuation and this was not her first time. Two years ago she was already the winner from the Children’s valuation. Both girls were particularly inspired
by Top Ten training and could profit from the tips, which Marcus Ehning had given them.
The team won „Butterfly Flip “with the Syrian Yousef Al-Anzarouti and Niklas Krieg from
Villingen. The single valuation was taken by Greta Carlotta Kölln von Fehmarn. The “Forever Friends Tours” turned up to the international meeting to represent those who are now too
old to take part in the friendships.The victories remained however in the region. The Silver route was won by the Exteraner Jan Obermowe on “Lightly“. The Goldtour was won buy
Miriam Schneider on “Luis” from Herford.
Training with top riders
Lars meyer zu Bexten was very pleased when he said “The level of the riders has improved
tremendously in the course of time”. Even the other coaches who contributed to the event on Wednesday could only confirm that, the juvenile riders made friend easily with their
borrowed horses. The Jerry Smit, ready in the stable of Ludger Beerbaum, starting internationally for Italy, was likewise positively surprised: “In former times the difference
between rider nations such as Germany and the Netherlands was enormous to other countries, which totally changed. “The Sparkasse began the champion Trophy directly after
the Top Ten training. After four exciting passages the winner was certain: Jerry Smit remained with all his rides without release and won the jumping in the WM-mode. With in
each case a jumping error from Kathrin Mueller and Marcus Ehning, both shared second place before Otto Becker, who landed with eight error points on rank four.
Donations for therapeutic riding
Federal Secretary of Family Affairs Ursula von der Leyen showed up too, completely
enthusiastic of the idea of the Sparkasse German Friendships. The official representative of the sponsor, Chancellor Angela Merkel, spent the whole week on the Bexter Yard and took
care of her four daughters who were attending the master program from the start.
“My children love the tournament, therefore I will probably be here again in two years’ time,
said the politician, who is herself a good horsewoman. Also this time the support of social projects was again firmly integrated in the tournament. The donations went to the German
Kuratorium for therapeutic riding registered association as well as to the children’s medical department of the hospital in Herford. The auction of the Bexter Globe brought 25,000 euros
to the Canadian Nancy Southern from Calgary. A wooden rider with signatures of the Top riders was passed on to Karsten Henco for 4000 euros.
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 HRH Princess Haya of Jordanian , FEI President and Patron of the G.F. 1999 and 2001:
I support the German Friendships, because I want to contribute to the
fact that children of the world should become friendly contacts to make the world better.
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 German Federal President Horst Köhler, Patron of the G.F. 2005:
I know, how important it is for the community that those who have such
good initiatives that require engagement and employment, have success.
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Sparkassen German Friendships